108 | Webster Building T T Russell Fredric Out-of-the-box projects catch the eye The entrance foyer and a small section of the main hall was converted into studio guest accommodation with a mezzanine bedroom above. BUILDING Two radically different renovations have reinforced Dunedin firm Webster Building’s ability to complete out-of-the-box projects to the highest standard. Last November, one of the projects featured on the television show Grand Designs and, as is typical of these builds, was extremely complex and challenging. After architect and plant lover Tessa Kingsbury moved to Dunedin from overseas for work, she had a dream to build a house around a glasshouse and ended up settling on the 70 year-old former St Michaels church Sunday school hall in Andersons Bay. Webster Building owner Kurt Webster says the run down, leaky building had lean-tos off both sides and a 5.5 metre high, round aircraft hangar-like corrugated iron roof with dormer windows and low brick walls along its central structure. The demolition, undertaken by Tessa and a team of helpers, involved removing the leantos while retaining the original shape of the main structure which was gutted, with the balance of the work being completed by Webster Building and subcontractors. The entrance foyer and a small section of the main hall was converted into studio guest accommodation with a mezzanine bedroom above. The middle section contains the glasshouse while the third section incorporates the main residence designed for single occupancy and has views into the glasshouse. The arched roof structure required the custom fabrication of curved steel portals to support the roof and glasshouse framing corrugated iron over the living spaces and the glass over the glasshouse. Kurt says the result is an absolutely unique building that showcases the skills and craftsmanship that he and his team of four tradesmen and the subcontractors are capable of. “It was an interesting challenge; everyone that took part in it has done really well to deliver a product of this quality.” Another interesting challenge was the incredibly well-crafted total renovation of an equally run down building resulting in the masterpiece preservation of a 130 year-old Taieri villa. Work included stripping the sarked scrim walls and installing insulation and dry wall to meet the current building code, while preserving many original features to ensure its character was retained, along with relocating walls resulting in the need to add lintels and roof beams to accommodate new load bearing points. The old sarking was repurposed and incorporated in the timber floor in the open plan lounge/dining/kitchen area with the effect of both retaining and adding character to the renovation. In this area, large French slider doors on the north side plus ranchsliders on the other two walls provides perpetually pleasant country views, while the addition of two skylights further maximises the amount of light, a far cry from the original situation. The original timber sash windows were able to be kept by retro double glazing them, while the many other special character features includes high skirting boards, the original arch in the hallway with columns and beautifully finished bedrooms with tasteful colour schemes. Although the renovation was “a significant build”, Kurt says it demanded as much from his subcontractors as himself and his team. “We pretty much rebuilt the whole house.” “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved but it’s the subcontractors as well. When you have good quality subcontractors it makes a huge difference.” “That is one of my favourite projects. From what it was to what we turned it into is extremely satisfying and the client was fantastic.” Proud to be associated with Webster Building TAIERI EXCAVATION and DRAINAGE Excavators and Trucks for Hire Robert Stones Owner/Operator P 03 489 7797 M 0274 376 885 E rstones@xtra.co.nz Plasterboard Installation Ceiling Battening Plasterboard Stopping Fibrous Plastering Rikki Wetere P: 0800 333 118 M: 021 225 3657 ADVANCED PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 BURNS ST & 34 CARNCROSS ST (03) 466 4617 ORDERS.DUNEDIN@PLACEMAKERS.CO.NZ PROUDLY SUPPORTING We are a diverse Construction and Engineering company. Residential & Commercial | Construction Metal Works | Structural Steel and Roofing Proudly Supporting Webster Building www.connorjones.co.nz 022 399 3841 tom@connorjones.co.nz
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